Jill McLane Baker | Kalamazoo GazetteBruce Jones, engineer-manager of the St. Joseph County Road Commission, smiles during a surprise party in his honor Monday afternoon in Centreville to celebrate his 50 years with the St. Joseph County Road Commission.

CENTREVILLE -- A lot has happened along the road to 50 years with the St. Joseph County Road Commission for Bruce Jones, who says good health certainly has been a key to his long tenure.

Jones' heart may have skipped a beat Monday, though, as family members and the Road Commission's 34 employees floored the 75-year-old with a surprise party to commemorate his five-decade milestone.

"I'm very humbled. ... Thank you," Jones, the engineer-manager of the Road Commission and St. Joseph County's longest-serving employee, told those assembled for the event.

After graduating from Centreville High School in 1951, Jones earned a degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University, served in the Army and landed a job with what was then called the Indiana State Highway Department.

Bruce Jones, engineer-manager of the St. Joseph County Road Commission, smiles during a surprise party in his honor Monday afternoon in Centreville to celebrate his 50 years with the St. Joseph County Road Commission. At left is Cheryl Arver, clerk of the St. Joseph County Road commission, Jones' daughter Chris Adams, and granddaughters, Kylie Adams, 5 1/2, and Tara Adams 13, background.

In the summer of 1958 he caught wind of Tom Webb leaving his engineer-manager post in St. Joseph County. Jones, married and the 25-year-old father of two, saw Webb's departure as a chance to return to his hometown and work in a field in which he had solid experience.

"Obviously, I didn't imagine being here for 50 years, but I've raised six children in Centreville, they've all gone to college and went on to have good careers. So, in hindsight, I don't think I'd have done anything differently," he said.

Jones introduced his family members -- including all seven grandchildren -- and became emotional when describing Road Commission employees as "my second family."

Jones' department is in charge of maintaining 1,022 miles of roads in he county, and Jones said he's probably traveled every mile of them.

He said that while he wouldn't trade his time at the Road Commission for anything, it hasn't been stress-free.

"Physically, my job isn't hard work, but sometimes there are challenges that, as I result, I don't always sleep well at night," he said.

"This past winter was one of the hardest we've had, and I don't think I've seen anything like it since the winter of '78."

Jones said he's thought about retirement off and on since his early 60s but more so recently after his mother passed away in April and a daughter died of cancer in May.

He's been given numerous books over the years that he'd like to take the time to read, he said. He also enjoys golfing and is in a softball league for players age 70 and older, and said he probably would play more of both if he retired.

For now, however, Jones said he'll continue coming to work until his body or the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners tell him otherwise.

Jones said he's proud to have given so much of his life to an organization and county he cherishes deeply.

"I was taught character values from my parents -- things like don't do or say things that would embarrass you or your family, be nice to other people," he said.

"It's important to get along with people, and, really, it's not that hard to do in a place like St. Joe County."